1959 - The League Win a Copyright Fight

In July, Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice in England deems that the Football League own the copyright to their list of fixtures. The League’s landmark copyright victory against Littlewoods, in turn, leads to an agreement of 10 years being signed between the pools companies and the English as well as Scottish Football Leagues. Accordingly, the former would be obliged to pay the leagues either 0.5% of the stakes received or a minimum amount of £245,000 per annum. In the near future (1972 – 1973), this very deal would be extended for 13 years and worth £23 million. Meanwhile, as a consequence of the new law, Vernons’ profits take a small hit.